FARM BUREAU URGES CHANGE IN TRADE NEGOTIATIONS

The American Farm Bureau Federation today said a new approach is needed in world trade talks, citing the stalled Doha round of negotiations. AFBF President Bob Stallman said his organization will shortly begin discussions with domestic and international business and trade leaders in an effort to find a new way to move forward. Stallman cited the current system’s failure, which requires 153 member-countries to sign off on any deal. "You can keep having ministerials and keep failing, and sooner or later someone has to wake-up," said Stallman. "We need a new structure to move forward." "What’s happening in the World Trade Organization with negotiations, which require all countries to sign off on the agreement, is not working," said Stallman. "You have 153 countries involved in the negotiations and all are not there to improve trade flows. They have other interests and goals." "We need to remove barriers that are currently hindering trade and further damaging global economic markets," said Stallman. "We can no longer sit by while those who resist opening markets further contribute to the economic slowdown."